“Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.”
(Daniel 9:14)
The righteousness of God is not just one attribute among many; it is intricately woven into all that He is and does. It defines His essence and shapes every act of His justice, mercy, providence, and judgment.
The Hebrew word behind “righteousness” carries the idea of being inherently right—unchangeably and immovably so. In the Greek New Testament, righteousness is often placed in contrast to sin, or “missing the mark.” God never misses the mark. He is the standard because holiness is His very nature. Thus, His anger is holy. His judgments are holy. His love is holy. Everything that issues from His throne is pure, true, and just.
His Law also reflects His character: holy, just, and good. God cannot act contrary to His own nature, and He takes delight in exercising His righteousness. “He shall judge the world with righteousness” (Psalm 96:13). “Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne” (Psalm 97:2). The Lord who delights in steadfast love also delights in justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 9:24).
This truth should quiet every complaint and silence every accusation. When we face distress or difficulty, when the hand of divine chastisement is upon us, we must confess, as Daniel did, “The Lord our God is righteous in all His works.” God never afflicts unjustly. He never acts with partiality. He never punishes without cause. All His judgments are truth and righteousness altogether.
God’s righteousness also reveals itself in how He repays men according to their works. “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1). He does not show favoritism or accept bribes. He renders to every person the due reward or punishment in perfect proportion. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
This is a terrifying reality for the sinner. But for the saint—one who has fled to Christ—His righteousness is a refuge. It means that every sin was punished in the body of Christ. It means that God will not double-charge His people for what Christ has borne. His righteousness assures us that the blood of Jesus was not shed in vain.
Finally, Francis Woodcock rightly observed that God’s justice honors those who honor Him and brings dishonor upon those who reject Him.[1] We must therefore not only affirm God’s righteousness but honor it in our daily walk—loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and trusting Him without wavering.
Contemplation:
- Reverence for God’s Righteousness. I often think about God’s love and mercy, but not enough about His righteousness. Yet everything He does is rooted in this holy attribute. He never sins, never errs, never deviates. I need to approach Him with more reverence, realizing that His justice is just as much a part of His nature as His compassion. I want my heart to be shaped by His righteousness, and my thoughts to reflect a deep awe of His holiness.
- Confession of Distrust. There are times when I inwardly doubt God’s ways. When hardship strikes, I silently question His fairness. But Your Word teaches me that all Your ways are right. Forgive me, Lord, for failing to trust in Your righteousness. Teach me to submit under Your hand, even when I don’t understand, and to believe that You are always good and just in all Your dealings with me.
- Conviction Over Careless Living. You reward each person according to their deeds. I know this, and yet I often live as though it does not matter. I take liberties with holiness. I excuse small sins. I forget that You see and weigh every word and action. Lord, convict me. Let me not be lax in my walk. Let me fear displeasing You—not because of a dread of punishment, but because I love Your name and want to honor Your righteousness.
- Gratitude for Chastisement. When I am disciplined by You, help me remember that it is not out of harshness but love. You chasten those You call sons. Every correction is right and good. Help me receive it with humility. Let me say with Daniel, “The Lord our God is righteous in all His works.” May I never accuse You, Lord. But may I always trust that Your hand is upon me for good, even when it is heavy.
Prayer (Confession):
O righteous and holy Lord, I come before You with a contrite heart, acknowledging that You are just in all Your ways and righteous in all Your works. You never err. You never act in contradiction to truth. Your judgments are perfect, and Your decrees unchangeable. I confess, O God, that I have not always honored Your righteousness as I ought.
There are moments when I question Your providence. When affliction comes or confusion clouds my heart, I do not always rest in the assurance that You are doing what is right. I am tempted to murmur, to resist, to act as though I know better. Forgive me for this arrogance. Forgive me for placing my limited understanding above Your infinite wisdom. You are righteous in all Your ways, and it is I who am in the wrong.
I confess the pride that leads me to overlook Your justice. I presume upon Your mercy. I act as though You overlook sin, as though my deeds will go unnoticed. I grow careless in holiness. I forget that You are a God who searches the heart and tries the reins. I excuse sin, minimize its seriousness, and tolerate what should be cast far from me. Forgive me, O Lord, for living beneath the standard of Your holiness.
I confess my failure to reflect Your righteousness in my own conduct. I know that I am called to be holy as You are holy. Yet my thoughts wander. My speech is not always pure. My actions often betray a divided heart. Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Purify me with the refining fire of Your Spirit. Let me not be content with outward forms of godliness while neglecting the inward truth that You desire.
I also confess my coldness in meditation. I do not often enough contemplate the weighty truths of Your justice. I fail to tremble before Your Law, and I do not always rejoice with awe in the justice of the cross. I take lightly what You take seriously. Forgive me, O God, and renew in me a heart that fears You rightly and loves You deeply.
Yet I thank You that in Christ, Your righteousness is not against me, but for me. You punished Him in my place. You upheld justice by pouring out Your wrath upon the Sinless One, that I might be declared righteous. Let me never grow numb to this mercy. Let me live in light of that great transaction.
Keep me close to Your Word. Keep me mindful of Your covenant. Keep me sensitive to the Spirit’s voice. Let my life bear witness that I serve a righteous King, and may I be among those who delight in justice and love what You love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Daniel 9:14:
Neh. 9:33; Jer. 44:27; Dan. 9:7; Jer. 31:28; Psa. 51:14.
[1] Francis Woodcock, God Paying Every Man His Due, eBook, (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2017), Section: The Just and Holy God.
